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‘Edge of the Knife’: An Epic Film Performed Entirely in an Endangered Language

SGaawaay K’uuna retells the old Haida tale of Gaagiixiid — the Wildman.

Submitted by Tyee Staff, 1 Apr 2019

SGaawaay K’uuna (2018), which translates to Edge of the Knife, is an award-winning retelling of the old tale of Gaagiixiid — the Haida Wildman.

The film, directed by First Nations filmmakers Gwaai Edenshaw and Helen Haig-Brown, is shot on beautiful Haida Gwaii and entirely performed in the highly endangered Haida language. It is the first-ever feature film to do so.

“I know that, if our language is this far gone, statistically it’s supposed to be over," said Gwaai Edenshaw in an interview with the Guardian. "But that’s not something that we’re willing to accept.”

The film returns to British Columbia for additional screenings, so keep an eye out for more details coming soon.